Mammoth firefighters assist Tucson crash victims

A two-vehicle accident on Feb. 6 near Wetmore and Flowing Wells Road in northwest Tucson was aiding by Mammoth Volunteer Fire Department members that happened to be driving past.

According to a fire spokesman, the accident left two occupants, including a four-year-old girl, in critical condition and all six people involved were taken to a Tucson hospital.

At the time of the accident, three members of the Mammoth Volunteer Fire Department happened to be driving in the area when they saw the accident and stopped to help.

Two of the firefighters, Captain Martin Ponce and Shannon Dominguez, are first responders. They immediately jumped out of their vehicle and went to assist a child and five other accident victims.

Ponce and Dominguez assessed the situation and began applying their training in first aid to help the victims. One other retired firefighter from Tucson had stopped also and was assisting the victims. They worked to stabilize the victim’s injuries until more help arrived from the Northwest Fire District.

Sixteen firefighters from three engine and two rescue companies arrived at the scene.

Northwest Fire District spokesman Captain Adam Goldberg said Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to free four occupants of one of the vehicles.

Rick Sanchez, the appointed administrator for the Mammoth Fire Department was at the scene and was able to watch two of his first responders in action. He said he was proud of the job they did and that Goldberg told him Ponce and Dominguez did a great job.

Mammoth Fire Chief Rudy Burrola and Administrator Fred (Rick) Sanchez were on hand to present Firefighter Shannon Dominguez and Captain Martin Ponce certificates of excellence for their part in a vehicle accident rescue in Tucson. (John Hernandez photos)